PM'S CLARION CALL: ROOT OUT TERRORISM

Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity essential for connectivity and infrastructure, says the Prime Minister

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that terrorism in any form or manifestation cannot be justified and called on the international community to isolate and expose the countries that harbour terrorists, provide safe havens and condone terrorism.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered these remarks on behalf of PM Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being held under Kazakhstan’s Presidency in Astana.

Calling SCO a principlebased organization whose consensus drives the approach of its member states, PM Modi stated, “At this time, it is particularly noteworthy that we are reiterating mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of use of force as a basis for our foreign policies. We have also agreed not to take any measures contrary to the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Indian Prime Minister called for giving priority to combating terrorism, which he termed as one of the original goals of the SCO.

PM Modi stressed that terrorism if left unchecked can become a major threat to regional and global peace. He asserted that cross-border terrorism requires a decisive response and terrorism financing and recruitment must be resolutely countered.